Five

Five.

How did this happen? How did that tiny bundle who made me a Mother and us a family turn into this beautiful five year old?

Verity, there are so many things I love about you. You want so much to be like me and you are. Your heart looks just like mine. I love the ways that God made you like me, and I love the ways He made you different. I love your heart, your spirit, your beautiful, beautiful soul.  I love your scrunchy smile and beautiful curls. I love your mannerisms, the way you tilt your head, your chattering. I love how you love to talk to me, and how you run to squeeze my legs when things get overwhelming emotionally. I hope you always talk to me, always run to me. I love how secure you are in my love for you. I love that you run to me not from me when you are in trouble. I love how you never walk in a straight line, but always skip and dance and twirl. I love that your favorite thing to wear is a spinning dress. For your birthday when I asked you what you wanted, you said a tea cup and tea so you could drink tea like me. 

Verity, there are so many things about you that make my heart swell with pride. I am proud of how strong you are, how persistent, how observant, how tender and sensitive you are to the needs and feelings of others. You have a gift of noticing things about others that most people don't see, and commenting on them in a way that make them feel loved. I am proud of how much you love learning and how hard you are willing to work at things that are difficult. I am proud of what a big helper you are to me, and what a wonderful big sister you are. You are so, so good. You want to be obedient, helpful, and well behaved so much. I am proud that you are not afraid to speak your mind and stand up for yourself and those you love. I am proud that you are not afraid of making mistakes and always try again. I am super proud of your love for Jesus and your relationship with Him. You love going to Mass, praying the rosary, and your weekly adoration date with Daddy at church more than anything. You desperately want to receive your First Communion. Most of all I am proud of who you are. 

I love you. Happy Birthday!